MY COMIC-CON REPORT

I hadn’t intended to be offline for over a week, but a lot of factors conspired to make it happen. Probably the biggest one was my indecision over whether to do a daily recap or post bits and pieces similar to what I did on Twitter as they happened as I did while attending previous conventions. In the end, poor internet connections at both the convention hall as well as the place where I was staying made both options difficult if not impossible. So here I am doing a day-by-day recap to give some idea what I went through.

PREVIEW NIGHT

My usual routine when attending the San Diego Comic-Con is to drive down on Tuesday and check in at the place where I call home base for the duration, have a good meal and get a good night’s rest. Once Preview Night begins the next day, it’s like jumping on a train and holding on for dear life while figuring out how you’re going to make it through the ordeal

Come Wednesday morning, I attended to a few last minute errands getting everything set before driving to the Convention Hall garage. Unless one plans in advance, there is no getting near the Convention Center with one’s car, as the parking spaces go fast when made available online. The same attention to detail applies when booking a place to stay, as I’m already signed up for lodging for next year’s convention.

This year is different in that it will be the first time in several years that I will be traveling to a comic convention outside the confines of California. I’m scheduled to appear at the FANEXPOBoston during August 4 thru the 6th as well as FANEXPOCanada from August 24th thru the 27, so I consider whatever I do for Comic-Con a dry run for what comes next.

That means figuring out what gets packed as well as what gets left behind. Did I bring enough books? Too much? Too little? Did I bring the right mix of original art and prints? This year I packed a variety of items to sell to get some idea what people are looking for.

I started setting up in Artists Alley about 2:00pm, spending around an hour just going back and forth from my table to my car to bring everything I needed for the set-up. My biggest concern was the banner I was setting up behind me, as I couldn’t tell whether I had 3-feet or 4-feet of space to play with. In the end, it didn’t matter as the artist next to me had a set-up that allowed for the base of my one stand to encroach on her territory. Everyone has decided to make the best of such tight spaces to work with.

The organizers of the convention kept announcing they were going to open the doors to the public around 5:00pm, and maybe they did, but the actual crowds didn’t start coming in until 6:00pm.

It probably took 30 to 45 minutes before I saw my first Sonic fan, as people coming in get oriented to the floor layout. There’s also so much to check out that what one intended to check out first may end up being the fifth or sixth thing as one moves from the hall entrance to deep inside the convention center. Artists Alley is in the G Hall, so there’s a LOT to pass by along the way.

Among the first visitors to stop by was a father who inquired if I do commissions, and if so, could I do one with his son posing with the character Knuckles. At the risk of sounding immodest, I could draw Knuckles in my sleep and have a knack for likenesses, which I demonstrated early on in my career when I illustrated several STAR TREK comics for various publishers.

On a drawing like this, I start with a rough outline and start developing shapes in proportion until I finally feel comfortable enough to work in the details. The drawing above was about as far as I got when the hall was closing at 9:00pm.

This was the first cosplayer I encountered on Preview Night. Once one asks permission to take a picture, it’s understood the picture is going to posted on social media somewhere.

The rest of the evening was spent talking with Sonic fans who showed up while I was working on the commission piece, most of which stopped by to say hello, get an autograph and/or trying to figure out what they wanted to purchase. It would be more of the same during the following four days, only with more people showing up each day.

By the time 9:00pm arrived, I was soon on the road heading back to the hotel. Unlike years ago when I stayed closer to the convention hall and enjoyed more of the night life with family and friends, I was on my own for the moment and just wanted something to eat and a good night’s rest. Thursday would be here soon enough.

DAY ONE: THURSDAY

I don’t normally post pictures of myself as I’m usually the one taking them. I especially hate taking selfies of myself as I feel they open me up to accusations of narcissism, but sometimes one has to do what one has to do. And if I want people to have an easy time finding me, one makes sacrifices for the greater good.

I arrived a bit late this morning at the convention hall due to not allowing enough time to catch the early bus that runs from where I’m staying in Mission Valley to downtown San Diego. Upon arriving at the Convention Hall, I go in through the G Hall door only to be told by Comic-Con staff to use any other hall but G next time I arrive in the morning. Why? Couldn’t tell you, but I finally made it to my table where I quickly prepared to start my day.

Once the crowd started to arrive, so did the cosplayers. Usually I’m able to take pictures and load them online quickly, but today I was determined to load everything onto this very website first, only that didn’t go as hoped for or planned. It seems the convention organizers would rather one pay for their overpriced web service than allow anyone to have a good signal. I’d pay the $79.95 being asked if it covered the entire convention, but paying that much on a daily basis is outrageous.

So I focused more on the commission drawing I was working on while acknowledging passers-by and speaking more at length with those who had questions or realized at the moment that I was in some vague manner associated with SONIC THE HEDGEHOG.

Every now and then when I’d take a quick break, I’d walk thru the aisles featuring dealers selling original art, mostly pages and covers that were created for books I’d pick up at the time. The FANTASY MASTERPIECES cover (above) is notable in that it’s the only piece I’m aware of that creator Jack Kirby both penciled & inked. The piece slightly lower to the left is a page from DAREDEVIL ANNUAL 1. Either of these I’d be happy to add to my collection but both are sadly beyond my means to acquire. This applies to the majority of works from that era.

The costumed webslinger (above) stopped by my table because they were drawn to the Sonic items I had on my table. So he brought his dad and both checked out the items I was displaying. He naturally assumed the pose when I asked if I could take their picture.

The art above is a page Jack Kirby penciled that was published in TALES OF SUSPENSE issue 85. It was displayed at the booth directly across the aisle from me, so I had ample opportunity to check it out. And no, you’re not misreading the price tag.

An individual dressed as the mutant Sunfire stood and posed when I looked up from my drawing. There were a number of people who walked by wearing incredible costumes, but I was either busy drawing or interacting with others, thus missing out from having a bigger selection to show.

Barbies of all ages and sizes were all over the place. There were also quite a few Kens walking by. There were guys even dressed up as Barbie as well as a Wonder Woman or two. I think I might have seen an Oppenheimer or two in the crowd, but I can’t say for sure.

The Super Mario Bros along with their friends and foes made an appearance as well.

While still working on the drawing, a man in his mid to late 30s approached me looking for my friend, Elliot S! Maggin. He pulled out the artwork you see displayed in the picture above which resulted in my jaw dropping. This page is not only the first page to one of the most classic Superman stories of all time – we’re talking 85 years worth of stories, folks – but also the first page of the very first Superman story that Elliot pitched and sold to DC Comics. This wasn’t work-for-hire as some would like to claim. This was spec work. Elliot would pitch an idea and if it caught DC Editor Julius Schwartz’s fancy, he’d tell Elliot to develop it further. Only when the script was finished would Julie commit to buy the story.

Since I know a thing or two about original art, I had in inquire how much the owner of the page paid for it. He in turn recalled paying in the ballpark of $7000 to $8000 several years ago for it. After seeing what similar pages were going for at the show, I’m pretty sure were that page to sell now, the price would be considerably higher. $30,000 to $50,000 would not be out of line these days.

One has to admire fans who go the distance and cosplay as one of the more obscure Dr Strange villains, such as Tiboro who originally appeared in STRANGE TALES issue 129. This person captured the essence of creator Steve Ditko’s design, so he gets bonus points in my book. I haven’t followed the adventures of DR STRANGE in the comics since the mid-70’s, so I don’t know if Tiboro ever reappeared in any adventures since, but Marvel may wish to reconsider where the TV series and films are concerned.

STAR WARS, and especially THE MANDALORIAN, were well represented at the convention. This was the only time I spotted Grogu with IG-11 instead of Din Djarin. I may not know STAR WARS lore all that well, but I have enjoyed THE MANDALORIAN a lot since it began. While these characters were getting an assist from their fellow human, a real robot in the form of WALL-E would eventually be seen manuevering through the aisles. I just wasn’t quick enough to take video of it.

Even the GHOSTBUSTERS made the scene, and there was more than a few wandering the aisles. Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of the female members of that elite group show up at Convention this year. Here’s hoping that gets corrected next time.

By this point, I had sold a number of SONIC ARCHIVES, some back issues as well as a selection of prints.

This was one of the more heartwarming depictions of Sonic & Tails as a mom with her young son posed upon request. I really had to act fast if I hoped to get this pic, as people were constantly on the move.

By this point, Day One was coming to a close and I had just managed to finish up the piece I was commissioned to do. I can’t do justice to the number of people who stopped to watch me work on this as well as take pictures or shoot video of me doing so. I felt relief more than anything else once it was finished. The father wouldn’t pick it up until the weekend.

I was more than ready to call it a day once it was announced over the loudspeakers that the hall was now closed. It was time to head for the bus back to the hotel.

DAY TWO: FRIDAY

When I arrived Friday morning after being delivered to the bus stop across from Petco Park, I began walking on the sidewalk next to the trolley tracks. It’s here that one generally makes first contact with some of the outdoor displays. The first display I would come to featured the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES van from the new film. I was glad I took these pics because unlike previous years, the van would disappear and I wouldn’t see it again during the show, with no explanation provided. The WGA & SAG-AFTRA strikers had made Hollywood’s participation this year a non-factor, so no one was sure what promos were going to be seen.

As I continued my walk, it was apparent the crowds were not hanging around the outdoor exhibits as in previous years. Case in point, THAT 70’s SHOW was at the convention to promote it’s 25th Anniversary, but with the SAG-AFTRA strike going on, none of the actors showed, only their cut-outs.

The Forman car was on display, but even that wasn’t handled consistently. Sometimes it would be there. Other times, not. (Was the gang driving it around the streets of San Diego when no one was looking?) Back when the show was on, my family and I managed to get tickets for a taping on an episode, so we actually got to see a performance live on stage. Seeing the car made me wonder if they still have live performances. In the age of COVID, probably not. Nor could we have imagined back then that one of the main cast members would be facing prison for rape. Those were innocent times back then, indeed.

The ironic part was that while the Hollywood trade papers and major media outlets were downplaying Comic-Con because of the lack of Hollywood participation, everyone at the convention seemed to have a great time. So much so that the Hollywood contingent wasn’t missed at all. It should make for some interesting discussions when talk turns to plans for next year’s convention.

This was the first show where I really made a major push to promote THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES. I was wearing T-shirts with my own designs. I had lanyards featuring the new design, plus prints and an iPad to show off THE LARA-SU CHRONICLES prototype app, which never failed to impress anyone and everyone who saw it. People made it clear they wanted to know when it was coming out, which only made me more anxious to get back to work to finish up the material for the initial release.

I’m usually not so self-promoting in this manner, but I felt images of myself as well as my table would make it easier for people to find me. So I tossed all inhibitions out the window and got with the program. I even asked the woman manning the booth across from me to take my picture, which she so graciously did.

As Bernie had just arrived late Thursday evening on a flight from Sacramento, I let her sleep in and manned the booth myself. As I had no commissions to complete, I ended up taking pictures of cosplayers, such as this couple wandering the floor as Captain America and the Scarlet Witch, when I wasn’t talking with fans who had questions or just wanted an autograph signed.

As I said previously, I saw lots of Barbies throughout the convention floor, but I believe this was the only one I saw that came packaged.

At some point, Bernie made it into the hall, so I was able to get away from the table and check out a couple of things. At the Paramount+ booth, they had a model of the U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 on display, which I would have loved to take home. They also had a mock-up of the Enterprise Bridge with Captain’s chair that people lined up to have their picture taken in. As I told Bernie I wouldn’t be gone long, I had to resist the urge to wait in line.

My son Steve had called earlier in the day and suggested I might want to check out the Lego booth, hinting there was something my grandson Julian was excited about. Since it was located a couple of booths past the Paramount+ booth, I went to check it out.

This was a light crowd in comparison to other times I attempted to check out what was inside.

Once I reached a certain area of the booth, it was clear what my son and grandson were focused on. The Lego booth is a fixture at Comic-Con with a different display every year. Last year they had STAR WARS, SUPER MARIO BROS and MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE characters constructed with Lego blocks. Before COVID, they had a huge IRON MAN figure built out of Lego blocks on display.

When I look at the pictures of other figures, as much as I like this, I’m forced to admit it’s not one of the company’s better efforts. The flip side is I know I’m not capable of constructing this, so who am I to criticize?

It was the Sonic playsets that really caught my eye, but unfortunately, they weren’t being sold at the booth at the time I was there, so I had to get back to my booth so I could have Bernie check out how I could get my hands on these sets.

Back at the table, this young lady made an appearance at my table and she was rocking the Lt Uhura look like nobody I could remember except for Nichelle Nichols, whom I met in person at a Boston STAR TREK convention more than 30 years ago.

This young couple came as Bane and Poison Ivy, trying more to match the comic books than the films. In this year at this convention, it truly was the appropriate way to go.

I was busy with someone interested in buying some back issues when this unique creature made the scene. No, not the cosplayer, who looked like she’d fit in on a LEGEND OF ZELDA adventure, but what she was riding on. What I later learned is the conveyance was featured at a booth labelled MAGIC WHEELCHAIRS, and this was but one design to select from. Doing further research, I came across a website that describes Magic Wheelchairs as a nonprofit organization that builds epic costumes for kids in wheelchairs at no cost to families. What an epic way to allow afflicted kids the opportunity to take part at Comic-Con in a spectacular way.

While the sight of Captain America, Indiana Jones and Batman are expected at Comic-Con, I appreciate when someone puts together an intriguing looking costume that grabs my attention, especially when the helmet covers the entire head with no obvious means of allowing its wearer a clear line of sight.

This couple would be the last to parade past my table. I would see plenty of single Mandalorians and single Ahsokas but this was the first couple walking around cosplaying as the characters and really looking the part.

It wasn’t long after I was once again heading for the bus back to the hotel.

DAY THREE: SATURDAY

I had to take care of a couple of errands immediately after arriving at the convention hall. Bernie manned the table and I thought I’d feature her promoting my work to people who showed up inquiring about the many items I had for sale. Everything was selling at this convention.

Yet another STAR WARS cosplayer, this one as Queen Amidala. I saw plenty of Obi-Wans, a few Princess Leias, a couple of Darth Vaders, multiple Mandalorians, but this was the only Queen. I didn’t see any Lukes or Hans either.

I’m not sure who the cosplayer is supposed to be, but Bernie loved the costume, so I asked to take her picture.

This cosplayer may not be Hayley Atwell, but she makes for a great Captain Britain.

I was talking with some people at my table when this cosplayer made for great imitation Chris Hemsworth… er, I mean, Mighty Thor. The only complaint I have is that he wasn’t wearing the helmet.

At some point during the early afternoon, I took a break and went in search of my friends Scott Shaw! and Larry Houston. I was able to find Scott’s table and snapped this price list Scott had on display as I was hooking a friend up with Scott who was seeking Scott’s autograph as well as wanting to buy original art and prints from the man. As for you Sonic fans reading this, here’s a chance to connect with the very first artist of the Archie SONIC series. You’re welcome.

I finally found my BFF Larry Houston at his table in aisle 800 way in the back. His wife Alexandra was there to support him while son Adrian was roaming the hall at this time. We really didn’t have much time to chat as he was surrounded by X-MEN fans during the entire convention. When we did finally meet up, it was for a quiet dinner after the convention was over on Sunday. Bernie & I were able able to enjoy drinks, good food and pleasant conversation with Larry, Alex & Adrian relating what we we saw and did during the convention. (SPOILER ALERT!) Overall, we agreed we had a great time.

Every now and then when trying to get from one end of the convention hall to the other, it was easier to do so using the lobby. It was here I encountered the X-MEN villain Apokalypse.

My first Skrull encounter happened at my table, and I was surprised I hadn’t seen that many Skrulls wandering the hallway, as my buds Larry, Elliot and I enjoyed the SECRET INVASION mini-series on Disney+ immensely. There was so much good stuff I don’t know where to begin. The bad part was Marvel not recognizing Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as the primary creators. There wouldn’t be any series or a Kree-Skrull war if not for their landmark work laying out the Marvel Universe in the pages of the FANTASTIC FOUR comic. The Skrulls, in fact, appeared in the FF’s second issue while the Super Skrull first appeared in FF issue 18. The Kree would finally show up in FF issue 64, with RONAN THE ACCUSER fighting the FF in issue 65. That’s how important the FF series is to the Marvel Universe.

I had to get this pic of Hobie Brown AKA Spider-Punk for my son Colin, if only for the guitar as Colin’s passion is playing guitar in a band, which he does whenever he gets the chance. Besides, I enjoyed the latest Spider-verse film, even if I still feel it could’ve been edited down into a complete film instead of breaking it into 2 parts.

Bernie & I liked the costume, but neither of us could make out who the cosplayer said she was portraying. It didn’t matter. She was having fun and that’s all that counts.

Doctor Strange and the Scarlet Witch made an appearance again at our table. Both characters were highly popular with cosplayers attending the convention, and it was both fun and interesting to see the various incarnations people came up with.

An Agent of SHIELD made an appearance, but I never found out if she was Quake, Maria Hill or some other intrepid agent that was taking a break from duty at the moment. NICK FURY, AGENT OF SHIELD was always a favorite of mine, especially when written and illustrated by the legendary Jim Steranko. It also helps the character was yet another creation of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee.

Women cosplayers always tend to come up with the most interesting interpretations of SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, and this one most certainly qualified. The ring, especially, was a nice touch. I can’t remember if she bought something, but she did enjoy looking thru the portfolio on the table before her.

Saturday was now coming to a close.

DAY FOUR: SUNDAY

I drove in this morning as I had purchased a parking pass so as to make tearing down and getting my stuff out of the hall as quick and painless as possible. Bernie had informed me that the Lego Sonic sets were going on sale at the Lego booth at 9:00am, so I made sure I was in the hall by 8:00am. I stopped at the Starbucks that was located in the Hall F lobby so I could relax with a Chocolate cream cold brew while I waited to head over to the Lego booth.

Incidentally, the main reason I had this photo taken – besides alerting people to the fact I was in the hall – was so the fans who sent me the SONIC & KNUCKLES T-shirt could see how much I appreciated their thoughtful gift they sent me last Christmas, as I don’t wear just any ol’ T-shirt while attending comic conventions.

So I arrived at the Lego booth just before 9:00am only to find the booth staff already waiting on some customers. I stood and patiently waited, wondering why the booth staff was posing for pictures with one individual in particular. When the group left, I walked up to purchase the Sonic Lego sets, only to be told that regular attendees had to wait until 9:30am to make their purchases. They explained that was some comedian named Puffy and his entourage they just waited on. Preferential treatment is usually a no-no at Comic-Con, but it appears that policy was chucked out the window in this instance. Lego management should have known better.

In any event, I was first in line, waited until the booth opened at 9:30am. I made my purchases, then headed back to my table where Bernie was setting up. After dropping off my items, I strolled down to the Holbein booth where I purchased my annual supply of oil paints. Between the paints and Lego sets, that was all I had time to shop for, and I was fine with that.

Upon returning to my booth, another father stepped up with a request for a commissioned piece of art. He wanted me to depict him and his daughter as some variation of Sonic and Tails. One of the more unusual requests I’ve received, but I was game, so I began sketching out the piece.

While working on the drawing, Supergirl showed up and so I snapped this pic, primarily for my friend Elliot, who had to leave the convention early to take care of his dog.

Who knew Bane was such a Knuckles fan? He looked through my portfolio, then decided he wanted to purchase a Knuckles print and have me sign it.

This was the first Kick-Ass and Hit Girl I met at the convention, so naturally I had to get a pic.

Finally, I completed the drawing, which the daughter came to pick up. She was thrilled with it, as was her father, who texted me his approval. Which makes me wonder all the more how did we ever survive without cell phones back in the day?

I am a sucker for dogs, and this Dark Sith Jedi dog was no exception. I didn’t want just a picture. I wanted video because I knew this dog would not disappoint, and he (she?) didn’t. Unfortunately, this Dark Sith Jedi already had a human to command or I wouldn’t have hesitated to bring this Jedi Warrior home.

We were also heading into the final hour of the convention at this point.

On the last day of the convention, wandering in the lobby brings all sorts of surprises especially as kids under a certain age get in free on Sunday. Today was no exception. As I was making my way to the Exhibitor Help Desk to get a Tear-Down Badge for Bernie so she could help me pack up everything I brought with me, I came across this great kid stroller. This would be great to stroll my granddaughters in, although I’m quite sure my grandson would want to ride in it as well.

While I’m not sure who two of the characters are, it was the Hawkwoman and Bizarro Superman cosplayers that caught me attention as I was heading back to my table.

There were plenty of Spider-Men at the convention, but this was the only Spider-Dino I spotted. I didn’t even notice the Nightwing in the background when I took this.

Now back at the table, Chewbacca would be the last costume I would preserve for the Photo Album before Bernie and I started to pack everything up.

After taking the boxes of books down to the car, I was heading back to meet up with Bernie in order to finish bringing everything else back to the car. I kept everything to a minimum in order to see what exactly I needed to pack when I traveled to conventions in Boston and Toronto during the month of August.

On the way back, I noticed this piece of original art on display at the Heritage booth. This cover piece was illustrated by the late great Dan Adkins and is being auctioned off with a listed price of $80K. I remember buying this issue off the racks as I would hunt down issues of STRANGE TALES ever since I bought issue 161. With Jim Steranko handling writing and illustrating NICK FURY while Dan illustrated DR STRANGE, this was one of the best books on the market during the late 60s as far as I was concerned.

I finally made my way back to the table where Bernie and I said our farewells to our Artist Alley neighbors. We then walked through the convention hall as all the booths were in the process of being dismantled. Dinner awaited with our friends, and then a good night’s sleep after. I was more than ready for a day of rest.